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Buccaneers sing blues in red zone

BEDFORD -- The Bedford High School Buccaneers continued their disturbing trend of allowing second-half onslaughts, dropping a 32-12 decision to Waltham in a Dual County League crossover game Friday.

Waltham 32 Bedford 12

Despite a huge statistical disadvantage, the Bucs trailed just 13-6 at halftime. The teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, and with two and a half minutes to play the Bucs trailed 20-12. But Waltham, which finished the game with 409 offensive yards, converted two more touchdown drives.

All night long the Hawks crushed the Bedford running game. Olan Abner, the junior tailback, came into the contest averaging more than 120 yards per game. He managed just 20 yards in 11 carries.

Bedford quarterback Christian Boivin completed eight of 21 pass attempts for 120 yards, but threw a key interception in the first quarter. Michael Hayes, a junior wide receiver and defensive back with great moves, returned a punt to the Waltham 39, and a personal foul added 15 more yards. Two rushes by Abner gave Bedford a first down at the 12, but Boivin lobbed the ball into coverage near the end zone and Dylan Lombardi had an interception.

The defense held and Bedford defensive end Tykler Skurka blocked T.J. Noonan's punt. The Bucs found themselves at the 8. They made it to the 2 on third down, but a false start pushed the ball back five yards and Bedford decided to settle for Stephane Todeschini's first field goal of the season.

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Late in the second quarter Bedford drove to the 6, but the Hawks held and once again the result was a Todeschini field goal. Meanwhile, Waltham found its offensive rhythm. Junior Chery swept in from four yards, and at the end of the half QB Dana Parello connected with big sophomore Aidan Stanowicz.

After falling behind 20-6 in the third, the Bucs came storming back with a couple of long pass plays: 26 yards from Boivin to Abner dashing up the middle and 32 yards to Hayes, who caught the ball in tough coverage at the 2. Abner scored from the 1, his 10th touchdown of the season, but Todeschini's kick went wide.

Waltham answered with 68-yard scoring drive that took only six plays and two-and-a-half minutes and featured some poor tackling by the defense.

Bedford was inside the Waltham 15 five times and emerged with only 12 points.

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